ABOUT THE EPISODE:

The Snake Pit, based on the autobiographical book of the same name, is the story of one woman’s experience inside a mental institution, and the treatment, both cruel and sympathetic, she receives at the hands of the mental health industry. Olivia de Havilland stars in one of those roles the Academy loves— typically pretty and elegant woman wears slightly less makeup and has somewhat disheveled hair for 2 hours and it’s considered oh-so-brave! Also, David and Suzan reveal their pick for the Best Picture of 1948— and it’s not the Academy’s.

SHOW NOTES

Year Eligible: 1948 (Nominated)

Additional audio from The Snake Pit (1948)

(Explicit language, as always)

ABOUT THE EPISODE:

For decades after its release, The Red Shoes remained the most popular dance film ever created, surely for the 20+ minute dream ballet sequence toward the middle of the film. But the rest of the movie’s plot, equally infuriating for its sexist love triangle and abuse apologia disguised as artistic genius, is a nightmare.

SHOW NOTES

Year Eligible: 1948 (Nominated)

Additional audio from The Red Shoes (1948)

(Explicit language, as always)

ABOUT THE EPISODE:

Johnny Belinda, a movie named first for an infant child barely seen in the film and secondly for the so-called main character onto whom everyone around her projects their own feelings and presumptions rather than just let her express herself, begins the long and frustrating history of the Academy’s effusive celebration of able actors portraying disabled characters in Inspiration Porn.

SHOW NOTES

Year Eligible: 1948 (Nominated)

Additional audio from Johnny Belinda (1948)

(Explicit language, as always)

ABOUT THE EPISODE:

This week, David and Suzan do what they do best: passionately tear a Shakespeare film adaptation to shreds. This time, it’s the 1948 winner, Laurence Olivier’s Hamlet. And we do mean Laurence Olivier’s, as he directed, starred in, produced, and even added text to this dour slog that, for some reason, became the gold standard for 20th century adaptations of the play, and is largely responsible for why so many people hate it.

SHOW NOTES

Year Eligible: 1948 (Winner)

Additional audio from Hamlet (1948)

(Explicit language, as always)

ABOUT THE EPISODE:

The nominees for 1948 start strong with The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, a classic that deserves the designation, starring Humphrey Bogart, Walter Huston, and Tim Holt as itinerant Americans searching for their fortune in 1920s Mexico. A stellar supporting cast, breathtaking on-location sets, and excellent direction from John Huston (The Maltese Falcon) make this a top notch flick. It’s the first movie of the year’s nominees, but it’s already the one to beat.

SHOW NOTES

Year Eligible: 1948 (Nominated)

Additional audio from The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)

(Explicit language, as always)